Seoul, South Korea – South Korea’s former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has been sentenced to life in prison after a Seoul court found him guilty of leading an insurrection by attempting to impose martial law in December 2024.
Delivering the verdict, the court ruled that Yoon tried to subvert the constitution by deploying military troops to seal off the National Assembly and ordering the arrest of politicians. Presiding judge Ji Gwi-yeon described him as the “insurrectionist leader” and said his actions caused serious damage to South Korea’s democracy, warranting the harshest punishment short of death.
Prosecutors had sought the death penalty. However, South Korea has not carried out an execution since 1997, meaning even a death sentence would effectively amount to life imprisonment.
Yoon shocked the nation on 3 December 2024 when he declared martial law during a live television address. He claimed the move was necessary to protect the country from “anti-state” forces allegedly sympathetic to North Korea. Critics, however, said the decision was driven by domestic political troubles, including clashes with an opposition-controlled parliament and corruption allegations involving his wife, Kim Keon Hee.
Lawmakers forced their way into the National Assembly hours after the declaration and voted to overturn the order, bringing the short-lived military rule to an end. The episode plunged the country into months of political turmoil, culminating in Yoon’s impeachment and multiple criminal indictments.
Security was tight outside the courthouse as the sentence was delivered, with around 1,000 police officers deployed. Supporters of Yoon gathered in large numbers, some breaking down in tears after the ruling. Anti-Yoon protesters also assembled, calling for the death penalty.
Yoon showed little visible emotion in court. His legal team criticised the verdict, claiming it was not supported by sufficient evidence and accusing the judge of following a “pre-written script.” If either side appeals, the case will go to the Supreme Court, potentially delaying a final decision for months.
Several other senior officials have also been jailed over what judges described as “an insurrection from the top,” including former prime minister Han Duck-soo and ex-defence minister Kim Yong-hyun.
Yoon is already serving time for abuse of power and obstructing his own arrest related to the martial law attempt, and he still faces additional trials. While several former South Korean presidents have previously been convicted and jailed, many were later pardoned after serving only a few years, raising questions about whether Yoon could eventually receive similar clemency.
